Enables older residents to remain independent and fully engaged in the life of the community

Builds intergenerational networks

Makes our town an even better place for all

Become a member of BrooklineCAN! Request a membership brochure by calling 617-730-2777 or visit BrooklineCAN.org

Spotlight on Committees - Livable Community Advocacy
The Livable Community Advocacy (LCA) Committee looks at Brookline as an exceptionally good place to live for older people - and for everyone else. The committee calls attention to the Town's good features (such as the many residential buildings that offer one-floor living) and advocates for improvements (such as better clearance of snow and ice from sidewalks in commercial areas). LAC persuaded the Town to become New England's first municipality to join the World Health Organization's Age-Friendly City initiative. The committee develops its agenda on the basis of concerns of Brookline seniors. New members are welcome to its monthly meetings. The committee also seeks volunteers of all ages to work on projects. For more information see the committee's page on our website: http://www.brooklinecan.org/livable_community.html or contact committee chair Frank Caro frank.g.caro@gmail.com .

Embracing Sexuality as We AgeOn the evening of Monday, March 23, Anita Hoffer, MS, PhD, EdD, will address the topic "Embracing Sexuality as We Age: Keys to Vitality", at Hunneman Hall, Brookline Public Library, 361 Washington Street. The program is co-sponsored by BrooklineCAN and Brookline Adult & Community Education. Dr. Hoffer is a therapist and educator, focusing on adult sexuality counseling. She will discuss the many benefits of maintaining sexual health in mid- and later life. Reception 6:00 pm, program 6:30 - 8:00 pm. Free of charge. To register, call 617-730-2770.

Web Feature of the Month--Senior Center TransportationDid you know that there are two convenient ways to get to and from the Brookline Senior Center? The Brookline Senior Center Van provides door-to-door transportation to the Senior Center, Monday through Thursday. The suggested donation for this service is $1.00 per ride. The BrooklineElderbus makes an hourly circuit every weekday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm that includes the Brookline Senior Center, elder housing, shopping areas, and the Longwood Medical area. A contribution of 50 cents is requested, though not required. For more information on these and other transportation options for Brookline residents, check out the BrooklineCAN web site at: http://www.brooklinecan.org/transportation.html#srvan or call the Senior Center at 617-730-2770.

Brookline's 5th Annual Climate Action Week - February 2-10The week kicks off with a Town Hall event: "Putting Money Where Our Future Is: Strategies for Divesting and Investing". Presenters from Divest Harvard, Fossil Free MIT, and Ceres share their experiences fighting fossil fuel dominance and its economic and political control of our resources in a discussion led by Brookline resident Mindy Lubber. February 2, 7:00-8:30 pm. Art exhibits for Climate Week can be viewed at Town Hall, the Main Brookline Library, and other locations. For information about all of the Climate Week events including presentations and discussions, a documentary film, a song fest carrying on the Pete Seeger tradition, and recycling opportunities, visit www.brooklineclimateweek.org.

Recreation Department Winter ProgramsIn the spirit of Brookline's Age Friendly City designation, town departments are making a special effort to highlight their services and programs for older town residents. The Recreation Department has recently published the Winter Recreation Bulletin. There is a two page spread featuring activities for Seniors 55+. For an online copy of the complete bulletin click here. One item of special interest is the Indoor Walking Club. It meets on Mondays 11:00 am - noon at the Soule Gym, 652 Hammond Street. This is a free program but registration is required. Call 617-730-2069 to register or for more information. Another interesting event sponsored by the Recreation Department is listed in the Events section below.

Understanding Brookline: A Report on PovertyThe Brookline Community Foundation has produced two reports: Understanding Brookline: Emerging Trends and Changing Needs and a follow-up report Understanding Brookline: A Report on Poverty that explains who makes up the 13% poverty rate (based on the 2010 U.S. Census) in Brookline, what factors cause financial stress, and highlights Brookline agencies already addressing poverty and the resources they currently provide. To engage the community in a discussion of the report's findings, BCF will host an Understanding Brookline forum at the Brookline Teen Center, 40 Aspinwall Avenue, on February 26, 2015, 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Featured speaker will be Barry Bluestone, Professor of Political Economy at the Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy at Northeastern University.

LGBT Out to Brunch BunchThe Brookline Council on Aging, Ethos, Goddard House and the LGBT Aging Project are partnering to present the LGBT Out to Brunch Bunch to be hosted at Goddard House the third Saturday of each month, beginning on February 21 from 11:00 to 1:00 pm at 165 Chestnut Street, Brookline. Parking is available. RSVP to Zoraida at 617-522-6700 x306 or meals@ethocare.org.

New Exhibit at Boston CollegeHave you visited the McMullen Museum of Art at Boston College? A new exhibit will be opening there on February 14: " Roman in the Provinces: Art on the Periphery of Empire", presenting a vast array of textiles, inscriptions, sculpture, glass, coins, and pottery from the 2nd - 6th century to explore the lives and experiences of people living in the Roman provinces. The museum, located in Devlin Hall, is free of charge and is open to the public. For more information see http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/artmuseum/ or call 617-552-8587.

Brookline Emergency Preparedness "Buddies Program"The Emergency Preparedness Buddies Program was developed to assist Brookline elders with access and functional needs in preparing for and responding to emergency situations, thereby improving preparedness and resilience among these elders. Brookline residents eligible to participate in the program include: elders, and adults with disabilities, who most often live alone and have little or no family support. The program is free. If you would like to participate or recommend a potential participant to the program, please contact Dawn Sibor at 617-730-2656 or dsibor@brooklinema.gov. You may also contact Cheryl Snyder at csnyder@brooklinema.gov.

Events of InterestThursday Feb. 5, 2015
Coolidge Corner Branch Library RenovationThe Board of Trustees of the Public Library of Brookline has begun the process of evaluating the Coolidge Corner Branch as it considers options for improvements to the Branch. You are invited to attend a Community Meeting scheduled for February 5, 7:00 - 9:00 pm, to discuss the project. The meeting will be held in the lower level meeting room of the Coolidge Corner Branch Library.